1.
CU Mr. Mafuta
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2.
SV Reporter Neil Mallard with Mr. Mafuta:
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3.
CU Mallard speaking
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CU Mafuta speaking Continues in French
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REPORTER (IN ENGLISH): "How do you feel about Zaire having arrived in this, the top football competition in the World?"



M. MAFUTA (IN FRENCH): "I am very happy to represent Zaire at this drew for the Football World Cup - it is the very first time that Zaire has been represented at this stage. It is the crowning of all the efforts which have been made by our government, and especially by our President who allocates a lot of money to sports. I think that he fully deserved the reward of this qualification. I am very moved to be here in Germany for the draw of the finals of the World Cup."



REPORTER: "M. Mafuta, in 1970 Africa was represented by Morocco, in 1974, by your own country Zaire; do you feel that by 1978, Africa should have at least 4 representatives in the World cup Competition?"



M. MAFUTA: "What you say is right. Football in Africa is progressing, and it is often ignored in Europe. At the last World Cup in Mexico, we were represented by Morocco. This year, it is the Republic of Zaire, which shows you that there has been a change. It is not Morocco, it is Zaire, and Zaire qualified for the final after meeting 24 countries - for example, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Zambia, and so on - all of which have teams just as good as ours."




Initials AE/2.93



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Secretary-General of the Zaire Football Association, Cifogem Mafuta, commented in Frankfurt on Sunday (6 January) on the outcome of the 1974 World Cup draw, held on Saturday.

Mr. Mafuta welcomed the inclusion of Zaire in the same group as the world Championship Brazil, but called for greater representation for africa in the 1978 competition. He named at least four teams from Africa that he hoped would qualify for the Argentine final.

Mr. Mafuta was interviewed by Visnews Sports Editor Neil Mallard.